Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cyprinodontiformes (Rivulines, killifishes and live bearers) >
Poeciliidae (Poeciliids) > Poeciliinae
Etymology: Alfaro: Taken from Anastasio Alfaro zoologist of the Natural Museum of Costa Rica.
Eponymy: Don Anastasio Alfaro (1865–1951) was an archaeologist, geologist, ethnologist, zoologist and famous Costa Rican writer. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Regan.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; pelagic; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12; non-migratory. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C (Ref. 30491)
Central America: Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 7.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 50894); 8.0 cm (female)
Inhabits waters of low to moderate velocity, between 0 and 300 m elevation. Lives on creeks of more than 0.5 m deep, in ditches and near shorelines of large rivers. Generally swims in small groups at a depth of 20 cm. Insectivorous, the young eat mainly aquatic insects and the adults feed specifically on terrestrial insects (Ref. 36880). Found in a rapidly flowing rainforest stream (Ref. 26130).
Gestation lasts for about 24 days. Produces 10 to 30, rarely more, young. Reaches sexual maturity in about 5 or 6 months.
Rodriguez, C.M., 1997. Phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Poeciliini (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae). Copeia 1997(4):663-679. (Ref. 26855)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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